My Story

Phyllis
| age 62
Social Worker
Greenfield, IN
13 years since her MammoSite treatment.
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I am happy to report that I am a survivor. Cancer was discovered with a routine mammogram in December 2004. This mammogram found a small calcification in my left breast. What a way to start a new year.I was scheduled to follow up with surgeon Dr. Timothy Goedde in January 2005. After the biopsy returned positive for cancer, DCIS, Ductal Carcinoma In Situ, a lumpectomy was scheduled. Following surgery I was then offered a treatment called MammoSite, from Dr. Graybill at Community Cancer Center. This treatment places a catheter into your breast and radiation is then sent directly through the catheter to the inside of the breast to the cancer site twice a day for 5 days total. I learned that my insurance provider did not cover MammoSite as a full treatment plan, only as a boost to traditional radiation therapy. So I then was allowed one day of treatment of MammoSite and then 2 weeks later started regular external beam radiation treatments every day for 6 weeks to the whole breast area. During this time I was working in a Hospital as a Case Manager. I continued to work through my treatments with only some reduced work time near the end of treatment.

The support and love I received from my co-workers was tremendous. Each day I would arrive at my desk to find a little something “PINK” each and every day! No names attached, it was always a mystery as whom and where these items came from. At the end of my radiation therapy treatments, my co-workers threw me a surprise “PINK” luncheon to celebrate the end of daily radiation! There were days I felt down about enduring the external radiation treatments and these little surprises kept my spirits up. The support from my family and friends was a definite source of strength. I still follow up with the oncologist every 6 months and certainly follow up with mammograms too. I continue to tell all who listen to please get your mammograms when due. Early detection is the best way to fight this disease.

CONTACT METhis profile is solely the words of the person who received MammoSite Targeted Radiation Therapy to treat breast cancer. Note that this profile is specific to this particular person, and experiences will vary.